New mattress construction

ABSTRACT

THIS INVENTION RELATES TO A MATTRESS CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A MATTRESS PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST ONE SLOT LOCATED AT OR NEAR THE TOP OF THE MATTRESS. A SLOT OPENING PROVIDED ON A SIDE OF THE MATTRESS IS SUFFICIENTLY LARGE TO PERMIT THE INSERTION OF DIAGNOSTIC OR THERAPEUTIC APPARA-   TUS (E.G. PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATES). THE SLOT LENGTH CAN EXTEND THE ENTIRE LENGTH OR WIDTH OF THE MATTRESS OR ANY PORTION THEREOF. THE SLOT MAY BE FORMED BY A SEMI-RIGID WATER RESISTANT MATERIAL SUCH AS PLASTIC.

Jan. 5, 1971 M. FRANKLIN 3,551,923

NEW MATTRESS CONSTRUCTION Filed April 10. 1968 INVENTOR. MARSHAL L FRANKLIN United States Patent Oce 3,551,923 Patented Jan. 5, 1971 3,551,923 NEW MATTRESS CONSTRUCTION Marshall Franklin, 53 Tanglewood Lane, Stamford, Conn. 06903 Filed Apr. 10, 1968, Ser. No. 720,119 Int. Cl. A47c 27/16 U.S. Cl. 5345 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a mattress construction comprising a mattress provided with at least one slot located at or near the top of the mattress. A slot opening provided on a side of the mattress is sufficiently large to permit the insertion of diagnostic or therapeutic apparatus (e.g. photographic plates). The slot length can extend the entire length or width of the mattress or any portion thereof. The slot may be formed by a semi-rigid water resistant material such as plastic.

This invention relates to a mattress construction and more particularly to a mattress having a slot sufiiciently large to permit the insertion therein of therapeutic or diagnostic apparatus.

Many bed-ridden patients require periodic diagnosis or therapeutic treatment. Often, this requires moving the patient which in many cases can be dangerous. With the advent of more portable medical equipment, it is now possible to treat the patient in bed. For example, X-ray and fluoroscopic apparatus can be brought to the bedside, the photographic plate inserted under the patient and examination or treatment can be performed. However, many times the patient must be moved or removed from the bed to expose the portion of the body to be treated or permit the placing of the photographic plate. Even this small amount of movement can be dangerous to the patient and must be done with extreme care. It is therefore very desirable to reduce moving the patient as much as possible While still performing the required treatment or examination.

It is an object of this invention to provide a mattress construction which permits diagnosis or therapy without moving the patient.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mattress construction which permits diagnosis or therapy while retaining comfortable support for the patient.

Further objects of the present invention will become obvious from the following detailed description.

In accordance with the present invention, a mattress is provided with at least one slot. Each slot extends into the mattress from an aperture located on a side of the mattress. The slot cross-sectional area is sufiiciently large to permit the insertion therein of diagnostic or therapeutic apparatus while not being so large as to adversely affect patient support and comfort.

It is not essential that the cross-section of the slot have a specific shape. Thus, it can be rectangular, elliptical or the like. The slot can extend the entire length or width of the mattress or any portion thereof. The top of the slot does not extend above the mattress top and is most desirably located adjacent and below the mattress top. This permits more effective use of the treating apparatus, which is inserted into the slot. For example, the effectiveness of X-ray equipment is greatly increased when the X-ray source is located adjacent the patient.

It is preferred that the slot have a cross-section with the side nearest the mattress top being parallel thereto to provide even support for the patient. The slot is constructed of a semi-rigid material so that the resultant slot structure is sufficiently strong to support a patient on the mattress while not being uncomfortable for the patient. It is most desirable that the slot be constructed of a material having a low coefficient of friction to permit facile insertion of apparatus. Plastic materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides and the like, are especially suitable for the slot construction of this invention.

The slot can be employed in any of the mattresses presently available. Thus, a foam rubber mattress with a slot can be made by molding the foam rubber around the slot construction or by removing a portion of the mattress and inserting a liner into the space provided, An innerspring mattress can be provided with a slot by replacing the coils and cotton or felt filling, or in a mattress with no coils, by removing the cotton or felt filling and inserting the slot construction into the space provided. In any case, an aperture on the side of the mattress is provided for access into the slot.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the mattress construction of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line 22 of the mattress shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to the figures, a mattress 10 is shown having slots 11 and 15 therein. Slot 11 extends through the width of the mattress 10 while each slot 15 extends through only a portion of the mattress length. The slots 11 and 15 are located in the top portion of the mattress 10 to permit the treating apparatus or plate associated with the apparatus inserted therein to be as close to the patient as practical. The mattress is provided with a fabric covering 12 and a filler material 13 such as foam rubber, cotton or felt. Filler material is provided between the slots 11 and 15 and the fabric 12 in order to provide comfort for the patient. The slot 11 can be provided with an aperture 16 at either side 14 of the mattress or at both sides 14 of the mattress. When utilizing the slot, the bedding which covers the mattress is lifted to expose the slot aperture or apertures.

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a mattress with a plurality of slots either in parallel or in perpendicular relationship. However, in any case, the number and size of the slots are not so large as to cause discomfort to the patient. More usually, the number of slots employed is less than four.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a mattress having a top, a plurality of sides and a bottom, two apertures extending longitudinally at least partially into the interior of said mattress substantially parallel with the top thereof, and one aperture extending laterally from side to side of said mattress, said apertures situated immediately adjacent and below the top of said mattress and adapted to receive diagnostic or therapeutic instruments therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,543,218 2/1951 Young et al. S--345 3,110,042 11/1963 Slernmons 5-345 3,209,380 10/1965 Watsky 5-347 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 534l 

